KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered provincial Finance Department to submit the breakup of last five years with regard to budget allocation of technical colleges and technical universities and its release in the province.
A division bench of SHC sought the breakup of budget in pursuant to directions dated March 20, 2020 in a case pertaining to state of public libraries in province.
According to a written order of the court, Additional Secretary, Finance Department, submitted a report with regard to funds allocated for libraries and non-formal schools.
The report reflected that in Sindh there are 21 libraries under the command of Culture Department with the capacity of 175 librarians and supporting staff. Finance Department report further reflected that major portion of allocated funds were released but same were not utilized by the Department.
Such specific allocation of funds and supporting staff itself reflects that government had been conscious of the importance and vitality of the libraries, but the manner things developed to present scenario begs for an answer, the order stated.
Advocate General Sindh contended that the department will submit detailed report with regard to reasons of such failure.
Accordingly, D.G. Libraries and Secretary Culture Department shall appear in person and shall submit detailed reports including recent videos of all libraries showing therein the condition of those libraries as well as reasons for abandoning or deterioration thereof, court ordered.
Besides, Deputy Commissioners of Naushero Feroz, Dadu, Khairpur, Hyderabad, Shikarpur, Karachi, Larkana, Jacobabad and Mirpurkhas shall submit report with regard to utilization of funds by disclosing purchase of new books, material and accessories with regard to libraries, bench directed.
Court was informed that in Punjab province around 20 e-libraries have been established. Needless to add that if one intends to stand well with global advancement then shall have to adopt all positive development.
E-Libraries are needs of the time as establishment thereof neither requires much space and staff yet are easy to access even if some is in isolation as the people, nowadays, are being advised, court observed.
Accordingly, Chief Secretary Sindh, Secretary Finance, Secretary School and Secretary Colleges shall ensure establishment of e-libraries in every district in upcoming budget on similar pattern as being observed by the Province of Punjab, court ordered.
Court observed that yet focal person of Chief Secretary Sindh has not submitted report yet with regard to libraries as per earlier orders and directed him to ensure that such report is submitted within ten days without any delay. Secretaries of all concerned Departments shall cooperate with the focal person of Chief Secretary, who is acting on the directions of this Court hence it is needless to add that in case of failure contempt proceedings would be initiated against them, the court maintained.
Court ordered M.D. Stevta, Vice Chancellor/Registrar of Technical
University Khairpur to appear in person and submit complete details of
technical colleges. The importance of the technical education can't be denied
rather is worth appreciating in equipping the generation with tools to earn their respectable livelihood as well is necessary to have skilled and educated people by a single stroke, court stated.
Court sought details that include complete budget received by them and utilization thereof as well syllabus with regard to course, staff by the technical colleges and universities as well as number of students in different categories.